Stan McNeil says he was forced to resign recently because he put his hands on a disabled student and prayed for her.

He took to YouTube earlier this week to defend his actions in a nearly nine-minute video.

"I prayed for the lady, I put my hand on her and I prayed," McNeil said. "They said we don't need your services anymore. They said we don't do that here."

In a statement, a First Transit bus company spokeswoman said the company respects McNeil's faith and that the driver was given the chance to resign over an unspecified safety violation.

"A full internal review revealed that Mr. McNeil had failed to follow a critical safety protocol that was cause for immediate termination. When advised of his violation, Mr. McNeil chose to resign," the statement said.

Students who ride the Livingston Campus Express told New York City radio station WCBS 880 that the route just isn't the same without McNeil, who is known for doling out encouragement and inspiration to passengers.

A Change.org petition calling on Rutgers to "Bring Back Stan the LX Driver" had more than 6,000 signatures by Thursday morning.

In his YouTube video, McNeil said he has no regrets over praying for the student and would do it again.

"I prayed for her and I'll pray for the next one, too," he said. "I don't regret none of it. This is who I am. I ain't going to back down from who I am…I'm all about God, brother. I ain't compromising one bit."